Gardner to seek city seat

St. Augustine Mayor George Gardner said Thursday he will seek election to the two-year City Commission Seat 3 in the fall but is undecided about a third term as mayor.

In an interview with The Record Thursday night, Gardner said he registered for the two-year seat because it is open and he wants to keep the current commission intact.

City Commissioner Joe Boles Jr., now in Seat 3, said last week he will seek Seat 5, the one held by Gardner. Both commissioners' terms end in December.

Gardner said he is holding off on his decision on another mayoral run because he is focusing this spring on getting steady state funding for the historic properties the city leases from the state.

He said he wanted to keep from getting into more politics while lobbying for the state funding.

When asked if that strategy meant he might not run again for mayor, he said, "That's true."

"Whether I am mayor or not, whether I wear the label as mayor or commissioner, to the extent I can, I can still be effective," he said.

Campaign qualifying runs from noon on July 17 to noon on July 21. Gardner has until then to qualify for one or both positions.

Gardner's announcement follows by a week that of Boles who was setting up two races against Gardner. Boles is serving his second year in the two-year Seat 3.

Boles called Gardner's decision to change seats and hold off on the mayor's race "an interesting turn of events."

On running for the two-year seat, Boles said, "I'm glad George still has the passion to want to do this (again).

"Now I am just going to have to wait and see who my opponent will be," Boles said. "I thought I knew but now I don't."

Boles said he decided to register for the four-year seat because, "if I was going to run for mayor, I ought to step up into the four-year seat."

Gardner said his intention to stay on the commission is to continue to help the city make progress. "Basically the commission is an excellent commission and I would prefer to take the remaining open seat (Seat 3)," he said.

He first ran for mayor in 2002 when he also ran for the commission. He won reelection as mayor in 2004.

"The last four years have seen great strides, and it's just the beginning of a great future for our residents, businesses and heritage tourism," Gardner said. "Neighborhood and business district associations have been formed, the Sebastian Inland Harbor project is under way, and a visitor parking and orientation facility will open this summer. At the same time, our historic neighborhoods citywide are being protected with height limits, entrance corridor guidelines, professional code review and a tighter demolition ordinance."